Norms are a
farce. The upcoming university elections are a testimony to it. Reams
have been written on the issue, but nothing has changed on the ground
zero.
During a walk through the Rajasthan University campus, one
only gets to see SUVs painted in campaign posters, slogans on walls and
groups of students reaching out to freshers.

A guard posted at the
main gate of RU knows the exact sequence of events that will take place
till the election results are announced.
He accurately tells TOI
when the first clash between student groups would take place and when
police would resort to lathicharge.
Even the university
administration and police are aware of the sequence but they hardly take
any step to prevent the hooliganism on the campus.
There is still
a month to go for student union elections, but campaigning already
seems to be in full flow on the university campus. The self-proclaimed
leaders have put up posters and banners claiming that they are 'born to
serve the students'.
Defacing public property is a crime. But
authorities seem to be in no mood to take action against these so-called
leaders who have pasted their posters with cell numbers almost
everywhere. No action over the years has made these leaders fearless.

An NSUI leader has parked his SUV just outside the main gate partially obstructing the entry.

The
incessant honking by cars stuck in the jam falls on deaf ears of the
leader and his loyalists. The leader rather gives a threatening look to
those who request him to move his car.

Similar
was the scene inside the campus with students in 'mid-ages' occupying
the road leaving no space for motorcycle and cars. A leader can be
spotted among the group due to his special characteristics. He would
mostly wear a white cotton shirt, a jeans and white shoes.

The
guard, who has been manning the varsity's main gate from the past 10
years, reveals that these leaders stand here to increase their
visibility among new students.